Page 25 of A Sublime Casualt
“Thanks. And I really do appreciate everything you’re doing. I’ll see you around.”
I take off, and soon as I get in my truck, I write down everything I can remember. Unfortunately for me, it’s time to spend some time with some beautiful girls, and not one of them is Charlie.
Charlie
Idream of a man named Randal again. I dream of dying, of floating through the stratosphere to meet up with a heavenly light so it heals me instantly, cleanses me of every last wicked sin. I see the arms of this faceless husband who waits for me. He stretches his fingers to mine, and just as I touch them, I bolt from my bed. I don’t know what it means. But it replays in my mind like a movie trailer of darker days yet to come.
Before she leaves for morning classes, Gabby shakes every last dirty little detail. She was thrilled to learn that Theo and I had taken things to the next level. By nature I’m not a kiss-and-tell kind of a girl, but Gabby was relentless in her pursuit to winnow all the dirty details from me, so like a good friend I hand-fed them to her. But, of course, I expect to gain things back. You don’t just give away information like that for free. I probed her a bit on Thomas, told her we met, and that he seemed standoffish. He didn’t really, but I needed an opener with her about him and bit into it like a chocolate-covered legal brownie. Apparently, everyone had a soft spot for Thomas, the good guy attorney, including Gabby. He was the “be-all and end-all,” her words, not mine. He was kind and chivalrous, a good listener, and an even better cheerleader as far as supporting and encouraging others. An all-around nice guy. And you can bet I rolled my eyes with that one. Although she had Theo pegged to a T, so I can only assume her gut is right about Thomas. In my opinion, he did seem nice, but the way he glared at Theo for asking about the hotel made me wonder. It could have gone two ways. Either he was pissed Theo was bringing up the fact his ex was sleeping around with other guys—because let’s face it, what else could she have been up to at that place? Or maybe it was something he wanted to keep private. But then, he denied it. I have no reason but to believe him.
I ended up working a half-shift for Dena today because she has the “Walmart blues,” her exact words. She spent half the night online shopping and came in dead on her feet. So when she called the house, I couldn’t say no. Near the end of my shift, I get a text on my phone. Each time that little technologic wonder buzzes in my pocket, I can’t help but smile. I know it’s Theo. He’s the only one that has the number.
Takeout at my place?
I can’t help but beam a smile at it as if it were Theo himself.Sounds great. I’m off in five. Meet me at the Hideaway?
And Theo does just that. We pick up takeout on the way over, and I take up his hand as he leads me into a small colonial tract house just off the main thoroughfare. It’s adorable with its thick white columns, the wraparound porch, and the bright blue door.
“I keep meaning to paint it.” He ticks his head toward a cluster of bald patches that are hardly noticeable as he lets us in.
“Don’t. It adds character,” I say as he extends his hand for me to enter first. He flicks on the lights, revealing hardwood floors, a small dining room with a round glass table, a kitchen with dark granite countertops, and newer looking stainless steel appliances. A couple of navy sofas eat up the living room, both pointing toward an excessively large screen TV. “I love it. This place is amazing!” I give a quick glance over the living room once again, this time looking for signs that Jackson lives here, too. Gabby has spent the night here so often it practically qualifies as a second home as well. The silence is strangling, and the place feels deserted. “I take it Jackson’s not home?”
“He’s working late. He mentioned he’s taking Gabby out for dinner, but he’ll be back about ten or eleven. I don’t really keep track.” He sets the food out onto the coffee table, flicks on the TV, and pulls his laptop forward. “Charlie, I went to see Neil.” His jaw redefines itself as if he were pissed, and my body quakes with the prospect of what this might mean.
Shit. Does he know? Is that why I’m here? I glance to the door in the event I need to make an escape and note the deadbolt at the top. Bullshit rule number three hundred sixty-five: It’s imperative to know what you’re up against before you run.
He pulls his laptop open and scoots in close to me on the couch. “I made up some lame excuse to see Lizzy’s laptop, and when he left the room, I sifted through her files. She had a link to this place.” He turns the screen my way, and a flash of heat spears through me. An entire collage of women in various stages of undress stares back at me. Chests marginally concealed, all in thongs, each bare bottom, a different shape and size. The flashing pink sign readsVariety! And just above thatBeautiful X-rated Girls!
“As of today, I’m officially a member.” He logs in, clicks on a tab markedfavorites, and in an instant the screen explodes with micro images of an all too familiar girl—dark wild hair, eyes like ice. “That’s her. That’s Lizzy.” His voice wobbles as a thick layer of tears congeals over his eyes. “That’s my sister, Charlie.” He slides the laptop over to me, and I inspect each erotic pose with studious intent. Lizzy has a masterful body, elongated torso, legs for miles. Most of the pictures she’s facing with her back to the camera, her face turned enough to blow the viewer a kiss. Her bare bottom is poorly concealed with a string, her flesh slightly dimpled. She definitely wasn’t a toothpick, but she’s hot, and I can see why men would flock to see this. Above her it readsHave Pebbles send you private pics just for you! Click here!
“What happens if I press this?” I touch my finger over the box, and Theo grunts.
“It’s pay-per-view. To see individuals, she was charging thirty bucks a pop. To see an entire montage, it’s a cool thousand.”
“Oh.” What do you say to that? “Did you—”
“No.”
“Good. I definitely think this is enough. So, does Neil know about this?” A dumbass like Neil couldn’t find Lizzy if she came up and punched him in the nose with her vagina.
“I’m guessing not. I’ve seen the file he has. It’s virtually empty. The leads he had have all gone stale. I’m not faulting him, though. Finding this was like putting a jigsaw puzzle together.”
“And yet we did it.” I shrug. “Come on, Theo.” I set the laptop on the coffee table. “You and I did this. It wasn’t rocket science.” I take him by the hands and look into those pale gray eyes. Theo is shaken to the bone. He looks more afraid for his sister now than he was the first time we spoke about her. “What do you think you’re going to do? Hire someone new?”
He shakes his head no. “I already did.” His lips bleed the idea of a smile. “You.” Theo brushes his thumb over my cheek. “You are my miracle, Charlie.” He spins his laptop toward me and clicks over to a new tab. “That’s why I got you this.”
I lean in and gasp. “Theo!” I swat him over the chest and laugh. “Two tickets to see Jeremy Newton at the Rock House. December fifth. I will never tell you anything again. At least let me pay you back, for both tickets. You’re probably not even interested.”
“I’m interested if you’re interested. You can’t pay me back.” He pulls me down to him with my fingers and lands a kiss to my temple. “If it makes you happy, it makes me happy. I can’t wait to go.”
“Me either.” Just one more week and I get to see Peavey and Devyn in the flesh—first time in far too long. “You have no idea how much this means to me, Theo. And if you won’t let me pay you back”—I lean in and steal a lingering kiss off his lips—“maybe I can pull one more thing from you.” My finger curls under his chin until he leans up and blesses me with another kiss.
“Maybe just this once.” He pulls me up, his lids heavy, a dirty grin building on his lips as he leads me down the hall.
Theo’s bedroom is cool, holds the scent of his cologne, of him. It’s sparse, an oversized bed, a couple of nightstands, and a dresser. A pile of laundry sits in a basket in the corner, and he mouths the word, “Sorry.”
“Are you kidding? I love it. It humanizes you. You’re darn near perfect, and it’s absolutely sickening.”
He rumbles with a laugh as he plucks his gun from his holster and lands it on the dresser. I note the small gun safe behind it. Howard had one just like it.